MIAMI – With Trea Turner as the team’s ninth hitter, the squad should have a good hitter. After six games in the World Baseball Series, it looks like the US batting at number one. And Turner is the strongest of all.
Philadelphia’s new shortstop hit his second and third home runs in 24 hours on Sunday night in the Classic’s first semifinal against Cuba, helping the US beat Cuba 14-2 at loanDepot Park in Miami and move on to its second straight final. . On Tuesday night, the defending tournament champions will try to regain the crown, meeting the winner of Monday’s second semifinal between Mexico and Japan.
“They’re well-adjusted and have a good time hanging out with each other,” USA manager Mark DeRosa said. “They pass the baton to each other, not taking turns in contention. They put constant pressure on.”
In meetings in this World Classic, the United States’ attack hit the hardest with 10 home runs and 49 runs scored, the sixth-highest in tournament history. In their two games in Miami against Venezuela and Cuba, respectively, DeRosa’s team combined for 29 hits, including six home runs (three by Turner) and a total of 11 extra-base hits.
On Sunday, it was Turner and Goldschmidt who provided the thunder with two home runs from first and one from second. Among them I draw eight hundred (four each) from the 14 laps of the United States.
“I hope it continues, and we have one more win,” said Turner, who signed an 11-year, $300 million deal with the Phillies this past winter. “(It’s about) not trying to do too much and playing when my name is called.”
The fight seems to be a good one
After turning to six relievers on Saturday in a fourth-round win over Venezuela, DeRosa only had to rely on starters Adam Wainwright (4.0 innings), Miles Mikolas (4.0) and Aaron Loup (1.0) to cover nine innings against Cuba. Now that he rested on Monday, the manager will be able to use Tuesday’s arms Adam Ottavino, David Bednar, Kendall Graveman, Devin Williams and Ryan Pressley as closers on Tuesday, all with two or more days off.
“We couldn’t have done better,” DeRosa said of the event. “My focus was how to get to the bullpen for Tuesday.
For the grand final, Merrill Kelly will start for the US on Tuesday against either Mexico or Japan. The Diamondbacks started right-handed in the final game of the United States in Group C last Wednesday against Columbia in Phoenix, allowing four hits and two earned runs in the victory for the North American team, which was tied for second place in the sweepstakes.
“We’re going to sit down and talk about starting pitchers,” DeRosa said. “Obviously, it looks like it’s Merrill Kelly’s day. We’ll talk about this a little more.”
